U.S., Pak. disagree on call content

State Dept. says Pompeo, Imran discussed terror; Islamabad contradicts the claim, seeks correction

In this handout photograph released by the Press Information Department (PID) on August 18, 2018, newly appointed Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan inspects guard of honor on his arrival in Islamabad.

In a new war of nerves between them, the U.S and Pakistan have contradicted each other on whether terrorism was discussed during a congratulatory phone call to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday.

Pakistan refuted the State Department statement that terrorism was discussed during the call. In response, the State Department reiterated that it stood by the earlier readout, but did not specifically restate that terrorism was discussed. “We stand by our readout,” said State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert during her daily briefing.

The Trump administration is walking a tightrope on its ties with Pakistan amid new attempts to open talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan. In the readout on the call that riled Pakistan, Ms. Nauert had said: “Secretary Pompeo expressed his willingness to work with the new government towards a productive bilateral relationship. Secretary Pompeo raised the importance of Pakistan taking decisive action against all terrorists operating in Pakistan and its vital role in promoting the Afghan peace process.”

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal contradicted the readout, with a Twitter post. “Pakistan takes exception to the factually incorrect statement issued by U.S. State Dept on today’s phone call btwn PM Khan & Sec Pompeo. There was no mention at all in the conversation about terrorists operating in Pakistan. This shd [should] be immediately corrected.”

No change

Asked whether the State Department would correct its readout in light of Pakistan’s objections, Ms. Nauert said: “We stand by our readout.”

“In the readout, the Secretary notes that he spoke with the new Prime Minister and expressed his willingness to work with the new government toward a productive bilateral relationship. They had a good call. That may surprise some of you, but they had a good call,” said Ms. Nauert.

“Pakistan is an important partner to the U.S. We hope to forge a good, productive working relationship with the new civilian government. My understanding is that the beginning of the call or the call itself was a good call and a good discussion toward our working with the new government and the new administration.”

Adil Najam, Dean, Pardee School of Global Studies, Boston University, said on Twitter: “The latest storm-in-a-tea cup about who said what in Imran Khan-Pompeo call is comical but also pertinent. A good metaphor for how relations have always been. What U.S. believes it has said, Pakistan does not believe it has heard. And, vice versa.”

Asked whether the U.S expected Mr. Khan to cooperate with the renewed peace efforts in Afghanistan, Ms. Nauert said: “I would just say that the Secretary had a good initial call with him and we’ll have more on that in the days and weeks ahead.”